Asking for help: 4 seater sportscar, modern but classic

[farstar]

Hello, I have arrived recently to Spain, and I am thinking in buying a 4 seater sportscar (better said, between a sportscar and a GT; the car will usually drive 2 people, but maybe 10% of the time will seat say two not-very-tall adults), which is modern (ESP, airbags ...) but classic (ideally, non-aspirated, manual transmission).

I am really struggling in finding a car fitting this description:

- The king would be a Ferrari 612, but there are very few 612 manuals (none in Spain) and they are still expensive
- Maserati Coupe: there are very few manuals (none in Spain), and the post 2005 are even scarcer
- BMW 6 Series: the M6 is only available in SMG III, which I have heard is not great. There are not too many 650i in manual (but there are a few at least)

Then one could find E92 M3 manuals. And then there are the 997s, DB9, XK, Continental ... of the world, but these are either with very small rear seats or mostly in automatic. Finally, there is the Camaro, but I believe its quality does not match the cars above.

What do you think about this description? Which car/s do you think would fit best my requirements? I am not going to track the car or push it to its limits, I just want a fun and tossable car.

[Yiliterate]

How important is it that it is normally aspirated? Would you be ruling out a 997 turbo or Jaguar XKR from your above list on that basis? If you would be willing to consider forced induction, the Nissan GTR is an awful lot if car for the money, albeit without the prestige of those you have mentioned...

ETA just thought - not sure if they come as manual or just 6-spd semi-auto...

ETA looks like semi-auto. So, E39 M5 it is then!

Edited by Yiliterate on Wednesday 14th November 07:47

Edited by Yiliterate on Wednesday 14th November 07:55

[farstar]

Thanks for the answer. Yes, the NA is not definitive. I would say I would consider a 997 Turbo MK I, with the Metzger engine, but not a MK II with the new DI engine ("too modern"). But anyway, I believe both the 997 Turbo and the XKR have too small rear seats.

The GTR is a great car ... just too "automatic" for my taste.

What is ETA?

[Yiliterate]

ETA = Edited To Add

[Yiliterate]

...nothing to do with Basque separatists in case that's what you were thinking!

[LuS1fer]

There is also the Mustang GT or far heavier GT500. I have seen several in Spain - seems quite popular, comes in convertible form and can be got with a "track Pack" (in truth just uprated suspension). Easily modified too.

The 2010-on got a revised interior upgrade but has the uglier rear end, changed for the better on the 2012 model.
The 425hp 5.0 V8 replaced the 300-315hp 4.6 for the 2011 model year though superchargers are readily available offering over 500hp.

[farstar]

Yiliterate, thanks for the explanation.

LuS1fer, I feel the Mustang is similar to the Camaro: while I agree that on paper it satisfies the requirements, I do not have the feeling I like this kind of cars. But I will look into them.

[farstar]

Any other comments?

[Yiliterate]

Well, if a 612 is too pricey, how about a 456? Better looking car IMO too...

[Yiliterate]

I've also got a soft-spot for Porsche 928s, but I guess that depends on your definition of 'modern'. If it is too old, there's the Panamera (if you can put up with the styling).

[farstar]

Very interesting suggestions. I like the 456, especially with new wheels. I will have to look at manuals.

[farstar]

Other opinions regarding the cars I have quoted in the initial post?

[kambites]

The 6-series never feels remotely like a sports car. I havne't driven the other two.

[LuS1fer]

farstar said:

Other opinions regarding the cars I have quoted in the initial post?

It does seem to be a case of what's available rather than what you fancy, if your observations are correct though I'll wager they are all too heavy to be sportscars.

[Captain Muppet]

How about an Evora?

[AtticusFinch]

farstar said:

Hello, but classic (ideally, non-aspirated, manual transmission).

.

I think Tessla make a non-aspirated car

[farstar]

AtticusFinch said:

I think Tessla make a non-aspirated car

... But it has no manual gearbox (well, it is a manual gearbox, with only one gear).

[farstar]

Captain Muppet said:

How about an Evora?

Good one. But in Spain there are barely any Evoras. Are the rear seats OK?

[Captain Muppet]

farstar said:

Captain Muppet said:

How about an Evora?

Good one. But in Spain there are barely any Evoras. Are the rear seats OK?

I'm not sure if your budget is up to buying new, but you could order one, or buy outside of Spain (unless there are weird regulations that stop you importing a car from another LHD market).

I'm 5'9" and I've sat in the back of an Evora behind a normal sized passenger. It was as comfortable as being in the back of a Supra or mk2 CRX or any other 2+2.